Japan's Aso readies to call election

Japan's embattled Prime Minister Taro Aso plans to call a general election for the end of August, following a disastrous showing by his Liberal Democratic Party in the weekend's local Tokyo elections, widely seen as a barometer for national elections.

Transcript

LEIGH SALES, PRESENTER: Japan's embattled Prime Minister Taro Aso is planning to call a general election for the end of August.

The decision follows a disastrous showing by Mr Aso's Liberal Democratic Party in the weekend's local Tokyo elections, which are widely seen as a barometer for national elections. The Liberal Democrats and their coalition partner lost their majority in the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.

YUKIO HATOYAMA, OPPOSITION POLITICIAN (voiceover translation): The result means the people of Japan have said no to the LDP and its control over Tokyo metropolitan politics and national politics.

LEIGH SALES: Mr Aso's been struggling with approval ratings as low as 20 per cent, as well as facing rebellion from within his own party.